http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/158963.html
Marty Mac's World: The coach had his chances
Musselman never delivered on his stated goals with Kings
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 1:07 am PDT Saturday, April 21, 2007
It might seem cold for the Kings to have fired Eric Musselman only one season into a three-year contract, but only when the opportunities he was presented are forgotten.
From a business viewpoint, Musselman departs from Arco Arena with $7 million worth of opportunities after compiling a 33-49 mark (20-21 at home). Include the $1.5 million Musselman was paid by the Golden State Warriors after they fired him following the 2003-04 season, and the 42-year-old coach has made quite a few bucks for just three years as a head coach.
The NBA is big business, and Musselman certainly faltered with one more attempt to establish himself as a viable coach in the league. And at the above prices, one either produces or is let go.
Ballgame!
Musselman came to the gig on a platform of defense and hard work. He worked hard, but after and during the fact, his defense had no defense.
Musselman told Kings broadcaster Gary Gerould his biggest disappointment was the team's failure to improve defensively.
Musselman said his team had worked defensively from the start of training camp through Wednesday's final shootaround.
There was no evidence available that all of that teaching and coaching had resulted in any improvement. From October to mid-April, and nothing to show at the defensive end.
Only Memphis, Milwaukee, Seattle and Washington allowed a higher percentage of field goals converted, and Sacramento finished 24th in points allowed per game.
Certainly, Musselman's players deserve as much or more blame for these statistical failures, but the coach knew who his players were when he signed on the dotted line.
However, as much as statistics and won-lost record matter, it's the measure of a man that highly influences his ability to lead. Ultimately, a player will have to respect his coach to buy heart and soul into the program. It's not always a must, but it doesn't hurt to have a couple of folks actually like you as a person.
As hard as he tried to make people like him, Musselman couldn't do it and didn't realize it can't be done. People will make their own assessments when it comes to judging others, and few seemed to find Musselman sincere or consistently enjoyable to be around. We're talking players and fellow administrators. It's one thing to lose. It's another to lose and be disliked.
Musselman did not have the strength and fortitude to handle this veteran-laden, small and athletically deficient roster. The Kings, and hopefully, that means basketball president Geoff Petrie, will look at a replacement who is secure enough to bring at least one veteran assistant capable of being a sounding board. The new coach should have a better feel for the game and its situations.
Sacramento's inability to come out of halftime and perform with more gusto and intelligence suggested Musselman was incapable of pushing the right adjustment buttons.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
Marty Mac's World: The coach had his chances
Musselman never delivered on his stated goals with Kings
By Martin McNeal - Bee Columnist
Last Updated 1:07 am PDT Saturday, April 21, 2007
It might seem cold for the Kings to have fired Eric Musselman only one season into a three-year contract, but only when the opportunities he was presented are forgotten.
From a business viewpoint, Musselman departs from Arco Arena with $7 million worth of opportunities after compiling a 33-49 mark (20-21 at home). Include the $1.5 million Musselman was paid by the Golden State Warriors after they fired him following the 2003-04 season, and the 42-year-old coach has made quite a few bucks for just three years as a head coach.
The NBA is big business, and Musselman certainly faltered with one more attempt to establish himself as a viable coach in the league. And at the above prices, one either produces or is let go.
Ballgame!
Musselman came to the gig on a platform of defense and hard work. He worked hard, but after and during the fact, his defense had no defense.
Musselman told Kings broadcaster Gary Gerould his biggest disappointment was the team's failure to improve defensively.
Musselman said his team had worked defensively from the start of training camp through Wednesday's final shootaround.
There was no evidence available that all of that teaching and coaching had resulted in any improvement. From October to mid-April, and nothing to show at the defensive end.
Only Memphis, Milwaukee, Seattle and Washington allowed a higher percentage of field goals converted, and Sacramento finished 24th in points allowed per game.
Certainly, Musselman's players deserve as much or more blame for these statistical failures, but the coach knew who his players were when he signed on the dotted line.
However, as much as statistics and won-lost record matter, it's the measure of a man that highly influences his ability to lead. Ultimately, a player will have to respect his coach to buy heart and soul into the program. It's not always a must, but it doesn't hurt to have a couple of folks actually like you as a person.
As hard as he tried to make people like him, Musselman couldn't do it and didn't realize it can't be done. People will make their own assessments when it comes to judging others, and few seemed to find Musselman sincere or consistently enjoyable to be around. We're talking players and fellow administrators. It's one thing to lose. It's another to lose and be disliked.
Musselman did not have the strength and fortitude to handle this veteran-laden, small and athletically deficient roster. The Kings, and hopefully, that means basketball president Geoff Petrie, will look at a replacement who is secure enough to bring at least one veteran assistant capable of being a sounding board. The new coach should have a better feel for the game and its situations.
Sacramento's inability to come out of halftime and perform with more gusto and intelligence suggested Musselman was incapable of pushing the right adjustment buttons.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
